By recent events, I am now in need to teach Thunder to soak his foot....with abscess issues, even if they go away, it would be good for him to know how to keep his foot in a bucket right? A part of training I never even thought about. How do I go about teaching him to keep his foot in there, still, or at least not kick it away? And how do I go about soaking a foot?? I thought I jusst had to put my solution in a bucket and put his foot in it, but that at the moment, seems like it would be quite difficult. Input?

smrobs

08-25-2009 07:27 AM

I would start with an empty bucket and just work it closer and closer to directly under him. It probably wouldn't hurt to rub it up and down each leg and all over his body too. When he is comfortable with that, then put his foot in it while empty and let him stand for a few seconds. If he is still, then praise and take the bucket away. When he is okay with all of this, I would put his foot in the bucket and add a little bit of just water (about halfway up his pastern) in the temp that you will likely use. If he takes his foot out or knocks the bucket over, then just re-do it as many times as it takes for him to stand calmly. Just continue adding water until it is about halfway up his cannon bone (more than needed for a foot soak but it wouldn't hurt for him to be comfortable with deeper water).

As for actually soaking the foot; ingredients, timeframe, ect., I haven't the slightest idea. LOL. I am sorry that Thunder is having abcess problems and I hope he heals up quickly. {:)

kevinshorses

08-25-2009 09:07 AM

I had abcess problems with a mare once and made the mistake of going to the vet rather than the farrier. The vet cut out the abcess then wanted me to change the bandage every day and soak the foot in epson salts. The mare was not gentle and I had a broken arm so that wasn't going to happen. An older and wiser vet said to just leave the dressing on till it falls off and keep giving her pennicilan. That's what I did and she healed fine. Later she got another abcess in a different hoof and I consulted with my farrier ( certified through the AFA) who suggested I use some nasty smelling stuff called Jim Rickens hoof ointment. The mare went from putting no wieght on it to walking almost sound overnight. I have used it on other horses with similar results. As for holding a foot in a bucket I guess you'll have to just put the foot back in there whenever your horse takes it out but start without water.

free_sprtd

08-25-2009 01:02 PM

Thanks guys!! I have no idea why he got them.. he's a mustang for gosh sakes, he's supposed to have amazing feet!! I really feel like it might have something to do with my previous farrier. SM-That's an awesome suggestion thanks!! I will be practicing it when I can. The next week I'm going to try and work him a bit so he gets back into that mindset (it's been a month!) since we're moving to new barn next week.

G and K's Mom

08-25-2009 02:57 PM

Go and pick up a Davis Soak Boot. It will be the best $30 you ever spend.......

I actually chuckled when I saw the heading of the post......a couple of years ago our younger one, who was 10 at the time got an abscess and I just "assumed" that since his older full brother had no problem with putting his foot in a bucket that Kooter would do it as well. Who knew he had never been asked to do it before..... Hubby and I tried everything, even with one of us holding up another hoof so he had to keep the front one in a bucket he fought like we were trying to put his hoof in a meat grinder. In came the Davis soak boot.......LOL no more problems.

shesinthebarn

08-25-2009 03:14 PM

So sorry to hear that you are having foot problems! They are a real bummer. Unfortunately I've had to soak many, MANY feet. (I work with racehorses) We use a shallow ground feeder, the flexible rubber kind. If you are soaking for an abcess, the water does not need to be crazy deep. The shallow feeders are awesome because if they step out of it they are less likely to knock it over/get caught in it. They don't make a huge CRASH!BANG! noise if they get knocked over either. All I can say is to keep putting the foot back in, over and over. Feed him treats to keep him occupied, or just brush and love on him. The water does not need to be much over the hairline if using epsom salts. If you are using the blue stuff, don't let the water go over the hair at all, as it can blister.
I've never heard of the Davis boot as the PP suggested, but it seems pretty cool! The Jim Rickens is awesome stuff - but I've never used it for abcess before. We use it as a hardener/desensitizer. Don't get it on your skin as it stings and stains, and it smells horrible. Apply it with an old toothbrush to the sole only, and make sure the foot is dry. It's iodine based (I believe) and it stings the eyes when it meets with water. I spilled a bottle of it at the races one night and everyone was giving me the stink eye!
Good luck with the soaking - keep us updated!

Plus the added bonus is you don't have to stand there and watch them. I've put them in the stall with some hay, put the boot on, add whatever your soaking in do up the strap and come back in 20 mins.

smrobs

08-26-2009 01:15 AM

As for why he got them........ Well, some horses are just prone to them or it could have been anything from a bad trim one time to a tiny rock that got imbedded in the white line and worked its way up into the foot. He could have stepped on something sharp or it could have been a stone bruise or something that abcessed. A one time thing is not really something to be terribly concerned about; however, if he starts having them consistently, you might consult a vet.

BTW, do you have any new pix? I always adore pix of Thunder, he is such a beauty. :D

free_sprtd

08-26-2009 01:29 AM

Thanks so much everyone!! that helps big time! I'll look into the boot for sure, and i have a rubber pan that i used to grain with so that is a perfect use for it as well! you guys are awesome that's a huge help! ill keep updated for sure.

SM-I will for sure get some new pics, im thinking next week when I switch barns, ill get some new ones up!!! You are too sweet, ill let him know you appreciate him ;)